Eastern Pine Snake eDNA Detection Primer Validation

A primer set and assay validation for detecting the eastern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) from environmental DNA (eDNA) in soil samples. The assay was developed and validated for specificity and sensitivity by Peyton G. Kinavey and is available as a PDF document. The dataset was last updated on 2026-04-29.

Use Cases

• Validating species-specific primers for eDNA detection based on the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) gene region.
• Complementing traditional survey techniques (camera traps, visual surveys) with eDNA analysis.
• Assessing assay sensitivity and specificity for detecting a secretive, semi-fossorial snake species.
• Applying quantitative PCR (qPCR) and end-point PCR methods to soil eDNA samples.

Strengths

• Assay validated for specificity against DNA from tissues or shed skins of heterospecific species.
• Assay validated for sensitivity and application to eDNA from field soil samples.
• Dataset is openly available under a CC-BY-4.0 license.

Limitations

• Dataset is a PDF document of 122.8 KB; the underlying raw data columns and row count are unknown.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred from the PDF.
• Geographic coverage is limited to southeastern United States where the eastern pine snake occurs.

Provenance

Source

figshare

Collection Method

Primer development and validation via qPCR and end-point PCR.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-29 05:58:26; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Southeastern United States